Doctors agree to work at new care centre

DOCTORS who had refused to work in a new care centre in a dispute over rent have now agreed to operate from the facility.

GPs in the Ballyfermot and Palmerstown area had refused to provide their services at the e11 million primary care centre in Cherry Orchard after claiming the HSE was asking them to pay nominal rent of approximately e4,000 per year each.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), which represents doctors, argued that the GPs were providing a public service at the existing health centre in Ballyfermot rent free.

They also pointed out that they were working from their own private practices where they already had to pay rent.

They therefore refused to operate from the new centre where they would have to pay more rent.

However, it is understood that following negotiations with the HSE, the doctors agreed to provide their services at the primary care centre and rowed back on their original demands to be allowed to work at the centre rent free.

A source told Southside People that the doctors had agreed to pay the original annual rental charges sought by the HSE.

The HSE said that the rental fees being sought from doctors for individual spaces at the newly built facility included payment of utility bills, maintenance and security.

Full primary services including mental health, dental and addiction will be delivered at the new site in addition to St Vincent’s Childcare, which includes crèche and preschool provision.

A spokesperson for the IMO said attempts by the HSE to impose

“unilateral charges

? without consultation with doctors was

“unacceptable

?.

“The IMO is pleased to confirm that the HSE has agreed that as the newly built centre is not the sole practice of the general practioners, that negotiations with the IMO needed to take place,

? the spokesperson said.

“These GPs have existing premises in other locations where they cover the costs.

?

Deputy Derek Keating (FG) said he was pleased that a resolution has been reached on matter.

Before the negotiations between the IMO and the HSE took place he had urged the health authority to open the centre without the presence of local doctors. He had also suggested that the HSE should recruit doctors from outside the area who could offer their services at the centre.

Deputy Keating said he was

“pleased that a resolution has been reached and that the needs of over 4,000 patients will be met by the wonderful state-of-the-art facility in West Dublin

?.

A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed that the issue had been resolved.

“The doctors have agreed to enter a licensing agreement,

? the spokesperson said.

“Formal documentation is being issued to the doctors forthwith.

?